Olowa, TheophilusAmuda-Yusuf, GaniyuAdebiyi, Ranti T.2020-06-102020-06-102017T.O.O. Olowa, G. Y. Amuda and R. T. Adebiyi (2017): Strategies Adopted by Nigerian Construction Firms in a Recessive Economy, Proceedings 3rd NIQS Research Conference ReCON3, Y. Ibrahim, N. Gambo & I. Katun (eds.) 725-739. Published by The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Available at http://niqs.org.ng/3rd-research-conference-recon3-materialshttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4191Nigerian economy is currently in recession with extreme financial pressures on all sectors of the nation‘s economy. The construction industry is particularly affected with significant reduction in the number of construction projects available for various categories of construction organisations in the country. As a result, a number of construction organisations are downsizing, lack capacity to tender for new jobs, folding-up due to lack of strategies to adapt to economic downturn. The purpose of this paper is to examine the survival strategies of Nigerian contractors in the period of economic recession in the construction industry with a view to formulating strategies for survival in response to economic downturn. Structured questionnaires were administered to personnel in the construction organisations using snowball sampling technique and a total of 35 questionnaires returned were analysed using simple frequency, percentages and mean score with the aid of SPSS 20.0 and Excel 2010 packages. The result shows that most contractors opt for reduced tender pricing, stringent cost control measures, stricter site management procedures, effective relationship management with clients and diversification of business interest. In order to survive the period of economic down turn, contractors should exhibit prompt response to changes caused by external factors so as to remain in construction business. The findings provide guidelines for industry contractors on essential options to consider in the period of dwindling economic activities in the construction industry.enconstruction industrycontractorsrecessionstrategiessurvivalArticle